Full-Day Snorkel, BBQ Motu

Bora Bora: Full-Day Lagoon Tour with Snorkeling & BBQ Motu runs 6.5 hours with BORA BORA ONOKU SERVICES and costs from $149 per person. Guests rate it 4.6 across 13 reviews.

Overview

Six and a half hours on Bora Bora's lagoon, run by Onoku Services, and the day follows a simple shape: boat out, snorkel, lunch on a motu, boat back. Pickup is included, either from your hotel or from the beach in front of Tiare Market at 9:00 a.m., and the listing asks travellers staying in private areas to tell their reception in advance. Everything runs in English or French.

The boat is a traditional canoe, and the snorkelling stops target the lagoon's main attractions: manta rays, stingrays, blacktip reef sharks and tropical fish in clear water. Reviewers regularly single out the crews by name, describing them as friendly, funny and quick to help in the water, with one saying the captain and assistant even filmed moments in the water for guests.

Midday, the group lands on a private motu for a picnic lunch eaten with feet in the water or on white sand. The afternoon is cultural rather than aquatic: a hand-dyed pareo workshop, a coconut-opening demonstration, and a stop at a small handicraft boutique. A visit to the offshore reef rounds out the trip, with views toward Tahaa and Raiatea on the horizon.

What's Included

Itinerary

1. Hotel or market pickupPickup is included from your hotel as detailed at booking, or free from the beach in front of Tiare Market at 9:00 a.m. Guests in private areas should inform reception in advance.
2. Traditional canoe outBoard a traditional canoe and cross the lagoon toward the snorkelling areas.
3. Lagoon snorkellingSnorkel several of the island's best spots, with possible encounters with manta rays, stingrays, blacktip sharks and tropical fish.
4. BBQ lunch on the motuLand on a private motu for a picnic lunch, eaten with feet in the water or on the sand.
5. Pareo workshop and coconut showAfter lunch, dye a pareo by hand, then watch a coconut-opening demonstration with a taste on the spot.
6. Coral reef and boutiqueVisit the offshore coral reef with views of Tahaa and Raiatea, and browse the small handicraft boutique on the motu for a souvenir.
7. Return transferCruise back across the lagoon to close out the 6.5-hour day.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points worth knowing before booking this particular day out.

• Bring sun gear. The listing recommends sunglasses, a hat, swimwear, a towel, a camera and sunscreen. You will be on open water and on a sand spit for much of the day, so reapplying sunscreen matters.
• Water confidence helps. Snorkelling is the core of the morning, over reef, rays and sharks. One reviewer mentioned the crew helping in the water, but being comfortable with a mask makes the day better.
• Hands-off with wildlife. Touching marine life is not allowed on this tour. You get close to rays and sharks in the water, but contact is off limits.
• Lunch with a view. The midday meal is a picnic on the motu, served with feet in the water or on white sand. Multiple reviewers called the food delicious and the setting special.
• Culture after lunch. The afternoon includes the pareo workshop and the coconut show. Several travellers described these as a genuinely fun part of the day, not filler.
• Photo opportunities. Bring a camera. Reviewers describe close encounters with mantas and sharks, lagoon scenery and island views toward Tahaa and Raiatea, and one said the crew helped film moments in the water.

Common issues. Wildlife is never guaranteed; manta rays in particular depend on the day, and the listing says you "may" encounter them. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours in advance.

Frequently Asked Questions